Kimberly Priest Johnson, who formerly served as a U.S. magistrate judge in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas, has joined the Houston office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a partner in its complex litigation and strategic counseling practice group.
Johnson was appointed to the bench in 2016 and announced her retirement in 2024. During that time, she authored more than 1,300 opinions in civil cases.
“I am excited to begin my next chapter at Shook,” she said in a March news release announcing her new role. “I have long admired the firm’s stellar reputation in complex litigation, its dedication to client service, and its long-standing commitment to the next generation of lawyers. I look forward to serving our clients here in Texas and across the nation.”
At Shook Hardy, Johnson will use her experience to bolster the firm’s capabilities in class and mass tort actions, government investigations and intellectual property cases. Prior to her appointment to the federal judiciary, Johnson practiced at a boutique law firm she founded, focused on federal criminal defense and civil litigation.
Johnson has also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney handling health care-related white collar crime cases in the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from the University of North Texas and is a 2000 graduate of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. After law school, she clerked for U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn.
Firm Chair Madeleine McDonough issued a statement that the firm was “thrilled” to have Johnson join its ranks.
“She has served the legal community as a judge, a litigator, and an educator, and her strategic insight and practical leadership will benefit our clients in Texas and beyond,” McDonough said.
Johnson has taught classes on trial advocacy and pretrial practice at SMU and also has taught trial advocacy at the Notre Dame School of Law.